Chianti Classico

Its borders are among the oldest wine laws in the world. In 1716 Grand Duke Cosimo III de' Medici defined the Chianti as running from Spedaluzzo to Greve, then Panzano and the whole Podesteria of Radda — Radda, Gaiole and Castellina — to the border of the State of Siena, and set up a body to police the trade. A notarial document already used the name Chianti for this wine in 1398.

Chianti Classico must be at least 80 per cent Sangiovese. It was recognised as a DOCG in 1984 and has had rules of its own, apart from Chianti, since 1996. Since 2023 the top tier, Gran Selezione, may name one of eleven villages or areas on its label — Castellina, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Gaiole, Greve, Lamole, Montefioralle, Panzano, Radda, San Casciano, San Donato in Poggio and Vagliagli — and from the 2027 vintage it must be at least 90 per cent Sangiovese, completed only with native varieties.